Gunung Lawu 3265m. I’m planning to climb this mountain once the rainy season in Java ends. Another reason to climb this mountain is to visit this very Mayan-looking ancient temple, Candi Sukuh. The origins of this temple which bears an uncanny resemblance to its counterpart in Mexico is still enshrouded in mystery. Let’s see if I can find any clues that the historians and archaeologists may have missed. Watch this site.
There are two ways to climb this mountain. I can start off at 10.00pm, reach the summit in darkness, wait for the sunrise and then descend. That would be a quick hit and run. The disadvantages would be 1) ascending in darkness. 2) physically exhausting.
Another way is to start off at 9.00am, camp below the summit in the late afternoon, head for the summit at dawn, descend. The advantages are 1) better photo opportunities 2) less exhausting. The obvious disadvantage here is I’d then need to carry a tent and sleeping bag to spend a freezing night on the mountain. The second option looks a bit more attractive.
Climbing stages
Solo to Tawangmangu 2 hours by bus.
– Cemoro Kandang to Station 1 (Taman Sari Bawah) 1 hour
– Station 1 to Station 2 (Taman Sari Atas) 1-hour
– Station 2 to shadow station around 30 min
– Shadow station to Station 3 around 2 hours
– Station 3 to Station 4, 1 hour
– Mbak Yem’s place 30 mins
– Summit 30 mins
– descend to East Java border 4 hours
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